Five-Year-Old Franklin County Boy Who Died Had Swine Flu

A second Columbus area child has died after being infected with the H1N1 flu virus.

Five-year-old Aden Hong died November 13 after spending nearly a month in the hospital. City of Columbus health officials say lab results received this week confirmed the boy was infected with the swine flu virus.

The boy’s mother, Ban-Yehn Chanthavong, said Aden’s immune system was suppressed because he was taking chemotherapy for a brain tumor. She said doctors told the family her son could not fight the virus. Four rounds of anti viral medication could not help him and he developed pneumonia.

Earlier this fall another Franklin county boy died from swine flu. 14-year-old Jon Fowler passed away in October due to complications from the virus.